Andy Burnham Seeks Commons Return Amid Labour Turmoil

Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester, has set the political world abuzz by formally seeking permission to stand as the Labour Party candidate in the upcoming Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election. Burnham’s move, announced on January 24, 2026, ends days of speculation and instantly raises the stakes for both the Labour Party and its leader, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The Gorton and Denton seat, nestled in Greater Manchester, became vacant after Andrew Gwynne, a longstanding Labour MP, stood down on January 23, 2026, due to health reasons. The by-election, now looming, could become a flashpoint for Labour’s internal dynamics, especially as Burnham’s return to Westminster would make him eligible to challenge Starmer for the party’s leadership—a possibility that has not gone unnoticed by party insiders and political observers alike, according to BBC and Sky News.

Burnham, who left Parliament nearly a decade ago out of frustration that “it wasn’t working for people in our part of the world,” has since tried to pioneer a new approach as mayor. In his letter to Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), shared publicly on social media just before the 5pm deadline, Burnham wrote, “There is a direct threat to everything Greater Manchester has always been about from a brand of politics which seeks to pit people against each other.” He continued, “I see this by-election as the frontline of that fight for the Manchester Way and I feel I owe it to a city which has given me so much to lead it from the front, despite the risks involved.”

Burnham’s application, however, is far from a mere formality. As a directly elected mayor, he must obtain approval from the NEC, a body that includes not only Starmer and Deputy Labour Leader Lucy Powell but also Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, party chair Ellie Reeves, and trade union representatives. The NEC is expected to make its decision on January 25, 2026. If Burnham is blocked, it risks sparking a fierce internal row, with several Labour MPs warning of “serious lasting consequences.” Blackpool South MP Chris Webb put it bluntly: “When you’re 2-0 down at half time, you bring on the super sub to help the team win.” East Hull MP Karl Turner predicted that blocking Burnham would “cause the most raving row.”

Burnham has been at pains to stress that his intentions are not to undermine the current Labour government. “I would be in Parliament to support the work of the government, not undermine it,” he wrote, adding, “I have passed this assurance on to the prime minister.” Still, the specter of a leadership challenge looms large—especially with speculation swirling that Starmer could face internal pressure after the May 2026 elections, which include votes in the Welsh Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, and several English local councils.

Support for Burnham’s candidacy has come from some of Labour’s most prominent figures. London Mayor Sadiq Khan declared, “If Andy Burnham wants to be a member of Parliament, Andy Burnham should be allowed to be a member of Parliament.” Khan even pledged to campaign on Burnham’s behalf. At the Fabian Society conference, Lucy Powell echoed the sentiment, insisting the decision should be left to Burnham and local party members. She added a football analogy for good measure: “I don’t want to see [Erling] Haaland on the bench,” referencing the Manchester City striker, and urged Labour members to “get behind Keir Starmer,” warning against turning the by-election into “in-fighting and talking about ourselves.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, himself a former Labour leader, was unequivocal in his support: “Burnham would be a massive asset in Parliament,” he said, adding that he hoped Gorton and Denton party members would have “the option” of selecting him as their candidate.

Yet, not everyone in Labour’s upper echelons is rolling out the red carpet. Allies of Starmer are reportedly mobilizing to prevent Burnham’s candidacy, fearing that his return to Westminster could destabilize the party’s leadership at a critical juncture. The NEC has the authority to block his bid, and some party insiders have floated the practical concern that triggering a new mayoral election—required if Burnham wins the seat and resigns as mayor—would be both costly for Labour and the taxpayer. The last mayoral election, after all, cost around £4.7 million.

The timetable for the Gorton and Denton by-election is tight. The deadline for candidate applications is midnight on January 25, 2026, with a longlist to be drawn up the next day. Shortlisting interviews will be held on January 27, followed by hustings and a final selection on February 1. Burnham’s fate, and perhaps the immediate future of Labour’s leadership, will be decided in a matter of days.

Gorton and Denton has long been a Labour stronghold, delivering a majority of 13,000 in the 2024 general election. But the party’s popularity has waned since then, with Reform UK and the Green Party coming second and third, respectively, in the last contest. The opposition smells opportunity; Reform UK’s Lee Anderson wasted no time, posting a photo of himself campaigning in the constituency with the message “bring it on” shortly after Burnham announced his intentions.

For Burnham, the decision to seek a Commons return was not taken lightly. “The decision had been difficult,” he admitted, but he believes Manchester “won’t be able to be everything it should be without similar changes at a national level. This is why I feel the need to go back.” His supporters argue that his experience as mayor and his national profile could help Labour reconnect with voters in the North and beyond, especially as the party faces growing challenges from both its left and right flanks.

The prospect of a Burnham candidacy has laid bare the tensions within Labour’s ranks. On one side, those who see his return as a chance to strengthen the party’s parliamentary team and reconnect with its traditional base. On the other, those wary of a leadership contest that could distract from governing and hand ammunition to political opponents.

Notably, Burnham’s previous attempts at the Labour leadership—in 2010 and 2015—ended in defeat, first to Ed Miliband and then to Jeremy Corbyn. Now, with the party at a crossroads and the country watching closely, Burnham’s bid for Gorton and Denton could mark a new chapter—not just for him, but for the future direction of Labour itself.

As the NEC prepares to make its decision, the eyes of the political world remain fixed on Greater Manchester. The outcome will not only determine Burnham’s political fate but could reshape the Labour Party’s trajectory at a pivotal moment in British politics.